Sun Safety for Vacationers

Many things can take the fun out of your vacation, like a delayed flight, inclement weather, or catching a cold. While you can’t do much to stop some things from ruining your vacation fun, you can take steps to keep a sunburn from destroying your summer plans.

First and foremost, always be prepared to protect you and your family from the sun. Pack plenty of sun protection, including things like hats, sunglasses, and your preferred sunscreen. Make sure you include sunscreen that is waterproof, even if you’re not planning any water-related activities. This ensures you’re ready for last minute changes in your plans or an unexpected rainstorm.

Next, make sure that you plan ahead for shade if you have outdoor activities on the itinerary. This might mean bringing an umbrella or two in case there are no natural shade options around. You’ll also need to make sure that the little ones take frequent “shade breaks.” This will help them cool down, and gives you a chance to reapply sunscreen and watch for signs of sunburn.

Finally, don’t underestimate the sun. You can get sunburned on a cloudy day, on a rainy day, or even on cool days. This can be especially problematic since people often spend more time outside on days like this, all without sunscreen. Basically, however, any time you’re outside you face potential over-exposure. This means that no matter your destination or your plans, you should use have sun protection available.